The morning sun was beaming down on Arthur as he walked out of Selera's house.
The assassin,who Arthur decided to temporarily call lady 'Will', was still unconscious and had yet to rise.
'Lady will' ey? Your naming sense is still good but tell me.... Who was the one to hate on Simps again?
Arthur swiftly turned his head to the side with flustration written on his face.
Arthur:"I'm not a simp damn it! I.... I just find her will admirable is all! And....."
In the midst of speech his words died down in strength.
Arthur:"....no, like what am I supposed call her then? 'Assassin'? I won't lie, it does sound cool but isn't it a bit mouthful? So.....why are you picking at me for choosing a good and short nick-name for her?"
A silence stretched on for a moment before Argus spoke.
Because I know you.
Damn it!
Both of them went on forwards as they bickered and conversed as they usually did.
They were only walking aimlessly througout the village as they didn't have a destination.
Their steps were their only companion with the soft pitter-patter on the cold ground.
Arthur took in the view of the sun as it rose,along with the scarce residents, some walking or jogging and some were also practicing the use of their mark.
The village,although developed enough to have mana saturated walls,had the ground itself still be made of dirt,it was an uncommon rurality and primitvity.
But that alone gave a certain sense of calm and ease on the soul.
At some point the sun had risen enough to fully tint the village with it's yellow embrace,the ground becoming xanthic,the heat of the sun bathing his skin.
Seeing the village with a clearer mind a piece of history regarding Dalumen surfaced in his thoughts.
The origin of Dalumen is a bit exotic as it's creation is due to...
...migration from another country,that is far from the lavestia empire.
In fact if one were to take it in another approach then dalumen could have been once considered a country.
Hundred years ago an entire country by name lagandra was brought to ruin by a plague,atleast that is what the remains of lagandra had stated.
A country of great magnificence with millions of lives flowing within,crumbled to nothing,the remains that lived were none other than the founders of dalumen.
Less than a dozen.
Less than a dozen is what remained of the hundreds of millions.
A shiver coursed through Arthur's spine.
What kind of plague was it that an entire country was reduced to less than a dozen people?
It was a fact that any country of now,even smaller ones,would have at least a single Abstract rank philosopher,and lagandra was no small country,it wouldn't be a surprise if they even had a vague rank philosopher at some point.
Sadly there is limited knowledge on the country of lagandra,especiially since it was on the farthern south of the world map and was un-connected to any continents,being an island and independent country, it also restricted access to outsiders,despite so the country was willing to trade goods and send philosophers if needed.
it was considered a semi-continent despite it's size being some what small.
Arthur:"*sigh*"
Arthur let out a sigh in dissapointment.
At the moment it is quarantined and any attempt to enter it will be punished severely.It is to avoid such a viral danger getting access to any country or continent.
Damn...
It hits different doesn't it?
After such remembrance the visuals of the village and it's people changed drastically,it was a bitter-sweet feeling.
A certain joyous smile Spread across Arthur's face.
He suddenly turned excited and started to hastely look around and walk every where.
What the hell have I been doing all this time!? This place is a literal piece of unfounded history.
who knows! Maybe I can find something about lagandra if I search hard enough!
Nerd
Shut up you rag!
The hell you called me you schizo!
Arthur gained several warry looks as he turned and changed expressions wildly.
^^^~~^^^^^^~~^^^
By the time Arthur had returned back for lunch,he had gathered a grand total of....Close to nothing.
The only finding that was seemingly connected to the lagandra country was a bed time story book that was dalumen exclusive.
The story followed a renowned female philosopher and mage of lagandra named Mercelle,it was a name that was echoed to the outer lands despite the outsider restriction, hence after remembering it he had decided to buy the story book and brought it back with him to read.
Arthur:"It's me,Arthur~"
Arthur spoke with a drawl as he opened the door to enter Selera's house.
A chorus of voices respond to his words.
Raz:"Ah! You're back big brother! Good morning."
Greeted Raz who had just woken up.
Ramiel:"Good morning Arthur dear."
After wards Ramiel also greeted with a soft voice.
Well, they get along well.
Both Raz and Ramiel were sitting face-to-face playing cards as Selera brought tea for the both.
Selera:"Don't you know how to knock? This isn't your house you know?"
There wasn't much bite in her voice as there was tire.
Oh my god!
Arthur:"Seriously wh—"
Arthur suddenly bit back his words.
Arthur was about to ask her why she was being mean to him but decided against it.
He spoke in a somber yet resolute tone.
Arthur:"yeah, I'm sorry I won't do it again."
He had only stayed here for a single night,it was her house and she hadn't even taken any payment for her healing him and lady will,being rude and being careless wouldn't be right.
Selera:"O-Oh.... "
Selera stuttered with frustration as she fumbled the Pouring of her own tea.
Selera:"Y-you don't have to apologise,i wasn't really being serious."
She spoke as she poured her and Arthur tea and brought his to him with deliberate steps.
Taking it wit care Arthur spoke in a relaxed manner.
Arthur:"Okay then,i will take that as 'treat my home as your house'."
Saying so he took a sip from the tea and sat on the sofa near Raz who had been silently seething at losing over and over again against Ramiel.
Selera just looked at him awkwardly and sighed.
•i don't remember saying something remotely similar to what he said•
With such a thought she sat down next to Arthur and drank her own tea before saying.
Selera:"You guys have fun here and tell me if someone arrives without hitting the bell,i'll be rechecking everything and looking at files."
She soonly departed to the second floor,waving at the trio as she left through the dark wooden-like door.
Arthur placed the story book he had bought on the table as he examined their game, as he was doing so Raz and Ramiel had also noticed the book he had placed down.
They stopped the game they were playing and looked at him,much to Arthur's surprise as he himself had gotten deep into their game.
Raz looked at Arthur with a confused expression as Ramiel only giggled.
Raz:"Brother Arthur,why do you have a children's story book? Don't tell me you like them! And I thought you were cool!!"
Raz exclaimed in dismay as he grasped at his own hair and scalp.
Ramiel turned to Raz and lightly scolded him.
Ramiel:"Come on Raz, Arthur can read what he wants."
Afterwards she looked towards Arthur with a consoling and patient smile.
Ramiel:"Arthur dear,don't mind him.Even if it's a children's book they still contain good life lessons. "
Both their words fell on his ears heavily as he looked at them incredulously,his jaw wide open with his eyes widened.
As he starred at them Raz and Ramiel became uncomfortable and started moving around in their seats.
Two or so people were welcomed by Selera as she glanced at them questioningly.
Being unable take it anymore,Ramiel broke the silence and asked
Ramiel:".....Hey,Arthur dear, is something wrong?"
Upon her words being spoken Arthur gave a look that screamed 'are you serious right now!' making Ramiel flinch.
•Why do I feel like I'm about to be lectured? Aren't those days over!?•
Thought Ramiel.
Within a moment's notice Arthur responded with an outraged tone.
Arthur:"....Are you guys joking with me!? Do you not know who the protagonist is? What even is the story!? "
Raz quickly responded to his question.
Raz:"it's Mercelle right? The cover says it.The story... I didn't really read it,i'm pretty sure nobody,even the children, read a children's story book though,what's your point anyway big bro? "
Arthur hastely asked another question.
Arthur:"What do you think lagandra is?"
This time Ramiel responded,after thinking about thoroughly of course.
Ramiel:"Well, it may be an historical country? Or it could be a fictional one,you never know in those children's story books."
*Smack*
Arthur smacked himself on the head,surprising Raz and Ramiel.
Arthur sighed out his shock,his hand still on his face as he caressed it gently with his fingers.
It's worse because they have been either born here or lived here for a really long time.The fact they don't read a book about their own ancestor's land is actually insane!
Not every one is a history or knowledge nut like you,you know.
He ignored Argus as he turned to them.
He spoke in a tired tone, resembling a dissapointed teacher,making Ramiel and Raz lower their heads slightly
Arthur:"How the hell do you guys not know about your own ancestor's country! Especially Mercelle!."
Both of them rose their heads in interest as they registered his words.
Raz:"....our.... Ancestor's country?"
Ramiel:"Arthur dear,are you saying that the story 'thornless rose' is real? Of course I know it could have been inspired but I did not know it was based on a real life story."
Hearing both their words and the interest behind them Arthur had gained a certain sense of exhilaration as he leaned forward.
He didn't know if he shold be dissapointed or not,it seems Ramiel read it but didn't know of lagandra's existence or anything about it.
Arthur:"Alright then,i shall bestow upon you the clarity of your ancestors!"
Saying so in a dramatised and archaic manner he Began lecturing the two,using the story book as well to gain a better understanding and for reference,both listening intently.
at some point the waiting patients also decided to listen to his knowledge as time passed by as Arthur filled the gaps with his facts.